News
Entertainment
Science & Technology
Life
Culture & Art
Hobbies
News
Entertainment
Science & Technology
Culture & Art
Hobbies
Want a raise by this time next year? - Afford Anything
Job hunting is tough — but accepting the first offer could cost you thousands. In this FIIRE Pillar II episode, Paula Pant busts 8 common salary negotiation myths, from “they’ll rescind the offer” to “the budget is the budget,” and shows you how to confidently ask for more money without fear.
#640: First Friday: Jobs Report Shock - What Falling Yields and Fed Rate Cuts Mean for Your Money - Afford Anything
The August 2025 jobs report shocked economists with only 22,000 jobs added and unemployment at 4.3%. Paula Pant explains how weak job growth, falling Treasury yields, and Jerome Powell’s Fed remarks could lower mortgage rates, revive the housing market, and shape the next rate cut.
#635: Q&A: Gold vs. Stocks – and Why Inflation Panic Makes You Poor - Afford Anything
Curious about different kinds of investment? In this episode, Paula Pant and Joe Saul-Sehy explain inflation-proof assets like gold and bonds, explore private investments, and share money tips for new 1099 workers on taxes and liability protection.
#632: How to Get Everything You Want at Work, with Behavior Prof. Melody Wilding - Afford Anything
There are 10 conversations that a person should have at work in order to do a better job, have better relationships at work, and make more money. Melody Wilding, Professor of Human Behavior at Hunter College, joins us to talk about how you can get the most out of your boss.
#517: Should I Raid My Retirement Plan to Buy Real Estate? - Afford Anything
Kimiko is dismayed that the asset allocation books she’s read led her down a path to an underperforming portfolio heavy in ex-US stock investments. Where should she go from here? Julie and her husband dream of owning a vacation rental in the Denver area even though the math doesn’t add up. It seems like everyone around can make it work though. What’s missing? Casey is excited to build his real estate portfolio and purchase his third rental property. He’s also worried that his plan to fund the purchase with his 457 Plan is flawed. What should he do? Former financial
#516: Dr. Brian Klaas: The Secret to Financial Resilience - Afford Anything
Have you ever wondered how small, seemingly insignificant actions can have massive impacts on your financial life? In today's episode, we talk to Dr. Brian Klaas, a Professor at University College London and an affiliate researcher at the University of Oxford. He explains how our decisions can lead to unintended and unanticipated consequences. He describes why resilience is more important than efficiency when it comes to protecting your investments and career from unexpected shocks. You'll learn how to tell the difference between predictable problems and those that are full of uncertainty, giving you a new way to think about your
#515: Q&A: Sell Your Home or Stay Put? - Afford Anything
Jessica and her husband are juggling two home sales and one home purchase within the next two to four years. How do they execute wisely while navigating a tight real estate market? Zerai works two jobs that both offer a pension and retirement plan. Can he take advantage of everything at his disposal or must he make some tough choices? Emily and her husband bought their home a year ago. But a national builder tempts them to sell and upgrade using a 3-2-1 buydown mortgage. Should they do it? Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these three questions
#514: Why the Latest Economic Report is a Rorschach Test - Afford Anything
The S&P 500 hit a record high — and the GameStop guy is back, and he now owns 9 million shares of GME, making him the 4th largest shareholder.Interest rates from remain the same, and are expected to hold steady until September. Inflation remains unchanged from last month.Last month we saw a massive explosion of new jobs, at 272,000 — nearly 90,000 more than predicted. But we also saw unemployment tick up, which created mixed signals.Learn the implications of the latest economic news — and how it impacts your wallet — in this month’s economic update.
#513: Bachelorette Star Jason Tartick: The Truth About Financial Infidelity - Afford Anything
Jason Tartick, a former banker and TV star from The Bachelorette, discusses finances in relationships. He describes eight crucial questions about money that every couple should discuss. When a couple is dating, but before they get serious, he says, each person should divulge their debt-to-income ratio. This is your monthly debt payments divided by your gross monthly income. Keeping this ratio below 30-40% is crucial for financial stability. Banks consider this when approving loans. Couples still in the dating stage should also discuss their credit scores. If you're thinking about becoming serious with someone, you need to understand their history
#512: Don't Let One Big Bill Blow Up Your Budget (Here's How) - Afford Anything
An anonymous caller who received a large inheritance feels paralyzed by all the investment philosophies he’s read about. How does he pick a winning strategy he can stick with? Josh is an expectant dad looking to buy a bigger house but doesn’t know how much everything will cost. Should he save more or invest more? Another anonymous caller worries that large expenditures like buying a new car or replacing her home’s roof will blow up her budget in retirement. How does she plan for unexpected expenses? Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these three questions in today’s episode.
#510: How to Master the Psychology of Persuasion, with Michael McQueen - Afford Anything
Maybe you’re trying to convince: – Your spouse | to embrace the FIRE movement. – Your teenage kids | to invest some of their summer job money in stocks. – Your neighbor | to sell you their house in a private, off-market deal. – Your boss | to give you more vacation time. – Your client | to pay you more. Today’s episode is about how to change minds, build trust, navigate conversations, and influence and persuade others. We chat with Michael McQueen, a social researcher, strategist, and the author of 10 books. He’s spoken alongside Bill Gates, Apple co-founder
#511: Q&A: "I'm Scared of Running Out of Money in Retirement!" - Afford Anything
Sara is five years from retirement with a paid-off house. But she’s worried that her money will run out before she turns 80. What does she need to do now to protect her future self? Lauren is a personal finance nerd who gets it. But one question perplexes her: When should she choose an ETF over an index mutual fund? What about vice versa? Paula and Joe explain. An anonymous caller plans to sell her house and live a “slow-madic” lifestyle. But she’s on disability and needs to keep her money safe. How should she invest her $500,000 windfall? Former
7 Expensive Mistakes That Beginner Real Estate Investors Make - Afford Anything
You've thought about investing in rental properties ... ... but the fear of making a huge six-figure mistake holds you back? You're not alone. That 'what if I buy a disaster?' feeling is real, especially for beginners. Imagine walking into a casino and putting $100,000 on red. That's how some people view real estate investing – as pure luck. (And let's be honest, those who dive in without learning the ropes probably aren't much luckier!) Successful real estate investing is about strategy, not gambling. By educating yourself and avoiding common pitfalls, you can weather almost any storm. 7 Expensive Mistakes (and How to
How to Buy Real Estate When Everything is Expensive - Afford Anything
I want to speak candidly to anyone who wants to buy a home. You're facing three problems: Home prices are high Interest rates are high Inventory is low None of these are going to get better anytime soon. But there's good news: You can buy a home, as long as you're smart about it. By the end of this email, I'll demonstrate how. First, let's understand the problem. High home prices: From 2020 to 2021, home values nationwide rose 17 percent on average. Prices have risen by around an additional 5 percent every year since. Here's a chart of home prices over the last 12 years:
#509: “I’m Retiring at Age 34 and a Half!” - Afford Anything
Rob wants to retire early, but a real estate investment led to $30,000 of credit card debt. Should he take on more debt to pay it off?An anonymous return caller took Paula’s advice and ran with it, doubling her income within a few years. Should she update her investment strategy now that she’s in a higher tax bracket?Humaira is tired of paying rent with nothing to show for. Can she leverage some benefits by using her credit card to pay the bills?Former financial planner Joe Saul-Sehy and I tackle these three questions in today’s episode.Enjoy!